According to the recent study done by WHO, 1 in every 3 people may be going through Clinical or Psychological Depression. Now what is the difference between the two? Clinical Depression happens due to ‘architectural’ issues in the brain leading to chemical imbalance. There may not be any specific reason or event because of which the person is feeling down. People going through clinical depression are not able to put their finger on specifically what is troubling them. They are simply going through an emotional down period which has lasted for more than 2 weeks. That is the threshold to qualify depression. Any person in an unresourceful state continuously for more than 2 weeks is said to hit depression; whether clinical or psychological. In contrast to clinical depression, psychological depression has a definite reason, event/s, ‘baggage’ in life which would be pushing the person into unresourceful state which has lasted for more than 2 weeks and is continuing to be that way. In both these types, depressed people find it difficult to sleep, could have moments of darkness in their vision, may not feel like eating, may continuously cry, sleep a lot, loss of interest in activities, may have bipolar disorder, loss of energy or increased fatigue, increased restlessness, feelings of restlessness, anxiety, helplessness, hopelessness, increased drinking, smoking, thoughts of death, suicide etc.

If you have come across such people and they happen to be close to you, here are some cute messages you can send them on regular basis to build their hope, motivation and fighting spirit:

1. “I know what you are going through. There is no pressure to respond but I want you to know I am here for you whenever you feel like talking”. (You become their support system and they believe they have someone to rely on. More importantly, they feel they are not alone and that gives them hope)
2. “Just so you know, if you ever feel like doing something low key, I can come over and we can just watch a movie”. (You have given them a way to distract themselves and with help)
3. “I wanted to reach out to remind you that you are loved, even in those darker moments, when you feel unlovable. Your depression is lying to you”. (This is like a pattern break which makes them believe that depression is their enemy and they can ‘collapse’ that emotion with the emotion of love)
4. “It is okay to take time for yourself. You have a lot going on and your mental health and peace matters”. (This is like a suggestion or maybe an embedded command which will give them an idea to slow down and make time for their peace).
5. “Just in case you feel bad for withdrawing, please don’t. I know you are going through a lot. I see you”. (This essentially will pull them out of destructive thoughts and encourage them to look towards the ‘light’).

Do this, and you will see how beautifully you have touched at least one life to make it better. I have always believed in this one powerful assumption of life, “We have all the resources within us to achieve our goals and outcomes”. And I also believe, that in most cases, “We have the resources to help others as well”. Everyone has to die someday, but the important question is, have we left a mark of ourselves anywhere in the world; And if we have, then even after death we remain connected to life. A good purpose statement to have.